Avocado
"Ripe avocado is a great source of healthy fat, a key nutrient for brain development and overall growth. Wash the peel of the avocado, then slice into wedges and remove the pit but not the skin," Malkani says. To properly prepare an avocado for your bub, "gently cut away the peel from just the top half of a wedge. The peel on the bottom half will make it easier for your baby to grip and self-feed the avocado," Malkani tells POPSUGAR. "Alternatively, you can roll peeled wedges of avocado in ground seeds, nuts, breadcrumbs, shredded coconut, or fortified infant oat cereal to provide extra grip and a boost of nutrients."
Avocados are packed with healthy fats that may help support your baby's brain development. Specifically, avocados contribute 2.5 grams of monounsaturated fat and 0.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat per 25-gram serving to a child's diet.
Banana
Malkani says, "bananas come with their own convenient 'handle,' which is easy for babies to grasp. To prepare, wash the peel of the banana (so that nothing on the skin contaminates the inside when it is sliced), then cut the banana in half horizontally. Gently slice away the top half of the skin so that half of the banana flesh is exposed. Your baby can hold the bottom 'handle' and nibble on the fruit exposed at the top."
Bananas are a source of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. And best of all? They are naturally sweet with no added sugar — perfect for tiny bodies!
SunGold Kiwi
SunGold kiwi, made particularly by Zespri, are a favorite of mine. They can be offered to a baby who is following baby-led weaning practices simply by peeling the top half of the fruit and leaving the bottom half with the skin intact. The skin can help the baby grip the fruit, and since the entire fruit is edible, and the sungold skin is hairless, gnawing on the bottom part is OK, too.
Kiwis are a great source of vitamins and minerals and can also be used as a natural meat tenderizer, thanks to a natural enzyme in the fruit called actinidin. If you are feeding your baby meat, you can help break down the connective tissue (ultimately making it more tender) by either marinating the meat in a kiwi juice marinade or rubbing the meat with kiwi skin (with the flesh side touching the meat). Not only will this method help make your meat more tender for your baby's enjoyment, but it will also give your dish some additional vitamin C!
